GREENLAND -- The Great Bay Stewards, the friends group for the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Great Bay Discovery Center, have named Peter Wellenberger as their first executive director.

Wellenberger was the former manager of the Reserve and most recently the Conservation Law Foundation’s Great Bay-Piscataqua Waterkeeper.

Jay Diener, president of the Great Bay Stewards, said, “We had discussed the concept of adding an executive director to the Stewards’ leadership for a few years and when the opportunity to offer that position to Peter arose, we jumped at it. He brings the skills that the position requires, a passion for Great Bay that has driven him since his early days at UNH, and a thorough understanding of the operation and goals of the Great Bay Stewards.”

Wellenberger was appointed the first manager of the Great Bay NERR in 1990. He served in this role through 2011 and was instrumental in securing over $62 million in federal funds for land conservation in the Great Bay region. As Great Bay-Piscataqua Waterkeeper, he focused on reducing pollution sources to the Great Bay estuary.

In addition to other duties and projects, he will also help coordinate the Steward’s participation in their newest initiative, Soak Up the Rain Great Bay.

In partnership with the NH Department of Environmental Services this program works with local homeowners to reduce stormwater pollution from residential sources. The first rain garden under Soak Up the Rain was recently installed by the Stewards at a home in Greenland.

One of his primary roles will be to increase membership in the group and working with the Stewards board to protect the Great Bay which he recognizes as an “incredible national treasure.” For more information please visit the Stewards’ web site at greatbaystewards.org.